Wichita gardener’s almanac for Sept. 12
Plant — Lettuce, radishes, spinach, turnips, fescue grass seed.
Beneficial orb weavers — The fall leading up to Halloween is especially known for spider webs in the garden. The webs are often works of art, sometimes with added jewels of dew. According to Ward Upham of K-State, two common garden spiders active during the day in Kansas are the yellow garden spider, which has a black abdomen with yellow to yellow-orange markings and black legs that have a yellow or reddish band, and the banded garden spider. It has alternating black and orange bands on its legs and alternating white and dark bands on its abdomen. These spiders are harmless to humans and eat other insects, Upham says, and he recommends letting them be.
Christmas and Thanksgiving cactuses — Holiday cactuses bloom according to temperature and light, Upham says. If they are kept at a constant 50 to 55 degrees, they will bloom regardless of day length, he says. Temperatures below 50 will prevent flowering. Nights longer than 12 hours for 25 days and temperatures between 59 and 69 degrees also can produce flowers. Nights naturally become longer than 12 hours close to the fall equinox, on Sept. 23 this year, Upham says, meaning that the 25 days ends about Oct. 20. It then takes nine to 10 more weeks for the flowers to complete development and the plants to bloom, Upham says.
Christmas cactuses normally have smooth stem segments, while Thanksgiving types have hook-like appendages on each segment. Upham gives these care instructions: Both types like bright indirect light; too much sun can turn leaves yellow. They can be kept at regular household temperatures. Keep the soil constantly moist but not waterlogged. They also seem to flower best if they’re a little pot-bound, so if you need to repot them, you may want to wait until spring.
Garden events
Native plant sale — The FloraKansas native plant sale continues this weekend at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston. Perennials, vines, shrubs and trees will be for sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at 177 W. Hickory in Hesston. Admission is free. For more information, see the website dyckarboretum.org.
Daylily club meeting — The Wichita Daylily Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Botanica. The public is invited, and the meeting is free.
Cannas & Cold Beers — Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy will perform at Tuesdays on the Terrace from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Botanica. Cannas & Cold Beers is the theme. Admission is $7, $3 for members. Dinner will be for sale for $8, and drinks also will be sold. The gardens are open until 8.
Make herb angels and tea swags — The Herb Society of South-Central Kansas will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Botanica to make herb angels and tea swags. Attendees will use fresh herbs and flowers to make herb angels for drying and using as Christmas ornaments or package decorations and using fresh herbs to make tea swags to be dried for later use or gift giving. There is no charge, and the public is welcome.
“Right Tree for the Right Location” — Cathy Brady of Brady Nursery will be at Botanica on Wednesday to talk about elements of tree planting, including location, long-term planning, the environment and soil conditions. Her lunchtime lecture, at 12:15, is included in Botanica admission or membership. Lunch will be for sale from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for $8.
Project Beauty tea and fashion show — Project Beauty's annual Membership Tea and Fashion Show will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the Lotus Room at Botanica. Light sandwiches and cookies will be served, and fashions will be by K-Lane’s. Guests are welcome. No reservations are required for the free event.
African violet meeting — The Wichita African Violet Study Club will meet at 1 p.m. Friday in the Fireside Room at Botanica to work on bylaws. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Annie Calovich
This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Wichita gardener’s almanac for Sept. 12."